Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2008 Dodge Caravan
NHTSA data on file today
The 2008 Dodge Caravan has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 302 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #10V164000 REAR SUSPENSION SPRING HAT RETROFIT NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #10V148000 FUEL PIPE PROXIMITY TO THE LEFT REAR TIRE NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 162 complaints
- Air Bags 42 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 41 complaints
- Engine 24 complaints
- Service Brakes 16 complaints
- Visibility/Wiper 16 complaints
Of the 302 complaints on file, 8 report a crash and 6 a fire; across all 302 complaints, owners report 10 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $7,000–$14,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2008 Dodge Caravan has numerous owner complaints, especially related to the electrical system, airbags, and brakes, indicating potential reliability issues. With 302 complaints and two recall campaigns, evidence suggests some component weaknesses. Particularly, the high number of electrical system complaints raises concerns.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| electrical system | 50,000–80,000 miles | $300–$1,500 | very common |
| airbags | 80,000–110,000 miles | $500–$1,500 | common |
| service brakes | 70,000–100,000 miles | $400–$1,200 | common |
| engine | 100,000–150,000 miles | $1,000–$4,000 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake pad replacement
- Coolant flush
- Transmission fluid change
- Tire rotation and balancing
- Air filter replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Frequent electrical issues
- Recurring airbag warnings
- Brake pedal feeling soft
- Engine misfires or stalls
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2008 Dodge Caravan at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.